Once common in our forests, this orchid was last seen here in the 1990s.
Now, scientists studying this evolutionary wonder say its disappearance is a
worrying sign of the health of the forest

By Chang Ai-Lien

IT LOOKS like a spider and would be shunned by most orchid lovers, because
it is all roots.

But this evolutionary marvel, now likely extinct in Singapore, is being
studied by scientists who say its presence is a litmus test of how healthy
the forest is.

Called the Taeniophyllum obtusum, the orchid needs high levels of humidity
to flourish, which isn't possible when too many trees in the forest
disappear.

The small, light plant, which has tiny yellow flowers, grows on the ends of
tree branches. It could have evolved this way to avoid competing with other
plants for space and light, scientists think.

'It used to be common here, and for it to have failed to survive in
Singapore is not a good sign for our forests,' said researcher Alvin Lok of
the biological sciences department at the National University of Singapore
(NUS).

Forests here have become less humid, allowing more light and wind through
the trees, proving fatal for some delicate plants.

The same reasons that this species vanished could also explain why Singapore
has lost most of its native orchids, added Mr. Lok. Only five or six common
species remain, from an estimated 40 to 50 in the 1920s.

The last time the Taeniophyllum obtusum was spotted here was in the Nee Soon
swamp forest in the late 1990s, said Associate Professor Hugh Tan, a plant
expert with the NUS.

It can still be found in the region and is a common sight in Malaysian
forests and plantations.

Its stem and leaves have been reduced to very tiny structures about 1mm to
2mm long, and the roots, which are about 4cm by 6cm, do most of the work.
They anchor the plant to tree branches, absorb water and mineral nutrients,
and make food.

The Straits Times, Asia



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Reka,
r u in singapore? u seem to know a lot abt st news.



Jon
"Reka" wrote in message
...
Once common in our forests, this orchid was last seen here in the 1990s.
Now, scientists studying this evolutionary wonder say its disappearance is
a
worrying sign of the health of the forest

By Chang Ai-Lien

IT LOOKS like a spider and would be shunned by most orchid lovers, because
it is all roots.

But this evolutionary marvel, now likely extinct in Singapore, is being
studied by scientists who say its presence is a litmus test of how healthy
the forest is.

Called the Taeniophyllum obtusum, the orchid needs high levels of humidity
to flourish, which isn't possible when too many trees in the forest
disappear.

The small, light plant, which has tiny yellow flowers, grows on the ends
of
tree branches. It could have evolved this way to avoid competing with
other
plants for space and light, scientists think.

'It used to be common here, and for it to have failed to survive in
Singapore is not a good sign for our forests,' said researcher Alvin Lok
of
the biological sciences department at the National University of Singapore
(NUS).

Forests here have become less humid, allowing more light and wind through
the trees, proving fatal for some delicate plants.

The same reasons that this species vanished could also explain why
Singapore
has lost most of its native orchids, added Mr. Lok. Only five or six
common
species remain, from an estimated 40 to 50 in the 1920s.

The last time the Taeniophyllum obtusum was spotted here was in the Nee
Soon
swamp forest in the late 1990s, said Associate Professor Hugh Tan, a plant
expert with the NUS.

It can still be found in the region and is a common sight in Malaysian
forests and plantations.

Its stem and leaves have been reduced to very tiny structures about 1mm to
2mm long, and the roots, which are about 4cm by 6cm, do most of the work.
They anchor the plant to tree branches, absorb water and mineral
nutrients,
and make food.

The Straits Times, Asia



---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.573 / Virus Database: 363 - Release Date: 28.01.04

Nope, just saw it on Google News. Interesting, isn't it, that an orchid can
evolve like that? Hope it doesn't completely die out.
--
Reka

I don't give a damn for a man that can only spell a word one way.
Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
http://www.rolbox.it/hukari/index.html

"Jonathan Phua" jpzy87nospamrs tytrtr ywrthyw schrieb im
Newsbeitrag ...
Reka,
r u in singapore? u seem to know a lot abt st news.





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Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.573 / Virus Database: 363 - Release Date: 28.01.04